Bible Work Bench: 9:30 a.m. in Jagger's Library. This Bible Study seeks to break up traditional ways of relating to the Bible and to open up the imaginative, creative, and unexpected. As opposed to searching for absolute and immutable ?truths? that we must obey, or at least "believe", rather we look for the questions that the stories, parables, sayings raise that were important in Biblical times and which can be as important for us today. There is no requirement that you 'know' anything about the bible. We are not the First Jefferson 'Bible experts'. The reason we like this curriculum is because it allows us to approach these scriptures in a non-threatening way. We don't look for answers, or even consensus. We don't debate. We just want to investigate what this book is.
You don't have to 'read in advance', but here are the verses we will discuss this week: Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13). Next week's verses: Luke 9:28-36, (37-43).
Everyone is welcome. See you there!
Elaine Simpson: 817-233-7147 Gumpsmom@yahoo.com

Adult Forum February 7: Dale Husband will speak on the Supreme Court's campaign finance decision. He wonders if the Supreme Court needs to be reformed.

Sunday Morning Worship February 7: Hymn Hat: Singing the Journey! The The Hymn Hat comes again for a special service of new songs from the new hymnal supplement: Singing the Journey. About 10 songs from the new hymnal written on ballots and placed in the Hymn Hat. The children will draw the hymns from the hat. The choir will lead us as we sing the new hymns. See you on the 7th, ready to Sing the Journey! and don't forget to wear your favorite hat!

UU Programs and Pathways Newcomer Potluck: Sunday, February 7, 12:15-2:00 p.m. See the Adult RE section of this newsletter for a description of the class. For more information or to RSVP for this session, contact Judy Gutierrez at 682-365-4918. Childcare available upon request/registration.

POTLUCK SUNDAY – FEBRUARY 7! We had a good turnout for the first potluck of the year on January 3. It’s a great  opportunity to meet new friends and enjoy a meal with familiar ones. However, the turnout of potluck dishes didn’t support the number of eager potluck diners, leading to last-minute forays for fried chicken and salad. We had about ten home-made offerings, and about as many purchased ones. Irene Forrester’s bean soup is sure to bring us all good luck for the new year, but we aren’t all great cooks like Irene, so I thought you might like a few suggestions for easy (and frugal) potluck dishes. For a great potluck we need salads, casseroles, vegetables, breads, and desserts. Coleslaw and pasta salad are quick and easy, and deviled eggs are a popular choice. Almost any potato or rice casserole goes over well, especially ethnic recipes. If you’re short on time Sunday morning, there’s probably a brownie mix in the back of the cupboard that would make a great addition to the dessert table. If you get to church on February 7th and suddenly realize that you’ve forgotten to bring a dish, come join us anyway, but drop a few dollars in the basket to defray the cost of those last-minute food runs.
- Janet Pierce

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You are invited to join the Women's Alliance on Tuesday, February 9 to see outstanding art at the DFW Airport, Terminal D. Arranged by Marianne Herrmann. Our docent is the Art Program specialist. The tour starts at Terminal D at 11 a.m. If you like to go by carpool, please meet at church at 10 a.m.; if you go to the terminal by yourself, please follow the instructions below and plan to be there at 10.55 a.m. We will need to go through security with our guide and have to bring a state issued I.D. (driver's license) or passport. Please do not wear anything that contains metal (it will set off the alarm) and wear shoes you can take off easily. Head to Terminal D through the toll plaza on International Parkway. Follow the signs to Terminal D, on the third floor there is two hour parking. Park towards the middle where you can walk across the bridge and head into a door near the Grand Hyatt entrance. There is an information booth inside the doors. Our guide will meet us there. If the cars entering through the toll plaza use the non-toll tag lanes, our guide can provide a pass to get out for free. There will be no charge for the tour. We can eat lunch at the Grand Met Restaurant in the Grand Hyatt which is the only restaurant accessible to us in this terminal. The charge for soup or sandwich is reasonable and the atmosphere is super. All interested women are invited to participate. The tour is really wonderful and I hope many can come. We will walk about 60 minutes, but a smaller tour will be available for people who are limited. Please let Marianne Herrmann know, if you plan to come or if you have questions (817-275-8092).

Wonderful Wednesdays! Join us on February 10 for Lasagna and fellowship then stay for worship and adult religious education classes. Childcare and children’s activities are provided. The food is great, and a vegetarian option is always provided. Dinner is from 6:00pm – 6:30pm, Vespers begins at 6:40 pm and classes at 7:00 pm. Price is a suggested donation of $5/adult, $2/children, $13/max per family. Contact Tammy Hayward 817-267-0337 thayward73@hotmail.com for more information or to help out.
This week's vespers service: join us as Kathy Smith leads us in learning and celebrating Parinirvana, a Mahayana Buddhist festival that marks the death of the Buddha. It is also known as Nirvana Day.

Wednesday, February 10 is also the evening for the Men's Covenant Group, which will meet at 7:00 p.m. in Jagger's Parlor. Covenant groups are small groups of FJUUC members, friends and newcomers that gather together with the goals of building friendships and nurturing spiritual health. Meetings include an opening ritual, personal check-in, and conversation about a topic chosen by the group. This is a great way to connect to the FJUUC community. There's always a place for one more, so come join us!

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There will be a CUUPS Business Meeting on Friday, February 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the Parlor.

Friday, February 12 is an Interweave Game Night! Everyone is invited to this Interweave-sponsored Game Night. We have Yahtzee, Monopoly, Lord of the Rings, Risk and various card games. You're welcome to bring your favorite card or board game. Come join us. Questions? Contact Michael Zepeda 817-496-4333 or mrzep@charter.net for more information.

Swing Dancing
on Friday, February 12 at 8:00 p.m. 

Valentine Dinner Saturday, February 13 at 6:00 p.m.
This sumptuous gourmet dinner will be cooked by Henry Stewart and served by the Men's Covenant Group. Courses will include soup, herbed roasted top sirloin and decadent chocolate dessert. Wine will be provided. Piano music by George Chave. Child care and children’s dinner provided. Waiters will be serving you at candle-lit decorated tables in Coleman Hall. Cost is $25 per person. Proceeds go to the church. Pay in advance or at the door. Reservation list will be kept by Bob Portman (rkportman@aol.com). Make reservations now or when contacted by one of the 12 members of the Men's Covenant Group. 

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Adult Religious Education

On next Wednesday, February 10, we will continue with our educational programming for adults. Join us after vespers for Renewal, a program about spiritually-inspired environmental work being done in the United States. Last Wednesday we learned about Jewish children and young adults discovering their faith in new ways through the Teva Learning Center and Adamah. We're still discussing ways that we, as individuals can work to reduce our negative effect on the environment. On February 10 we plan to find out about how the persistence of Buddhists in California is helping to save trees, and about the fight of an economically-disadvantaged community against the companies poisoning their environment in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The sections are independent, so don't worry if you miss a week - come learn with us!

NEWCOMER CLASSES – REGISTER NOW! Sundays: February 7, 14, & 21,  12:15-2:00 p.m. Potluck lunches. Childcare offered by request. For more information or to RSVP contact Judy Gutierrez 682-365-4918 or via email jgutierrez1206@gmail.com.

UU Programs and Pathways Newcomer Potluck: Sunday, February 7, 12:15-2:00 p.m. Would you like to learn more about our faith community? Join us for potluck lunch and conversation as we discuss the programs and activities offered at First Jefferson. Learn about our small group ministry Covenant Groups, Hospitality, Caring & Sharing, Wonderful Wednesday, Religious Education over the Lifespan, Social Activities, Social Action. We'll discuss the meaning of community, share the paths that bring us together and how we celebrate community here. For more information or to RSVP for this session, contact Judy Gutierrez at 682-365-4918. Childcare available upon request/registration.

UU Roots & Branches Newcomer Potluck: Sunday, February 14, 12:15-2:00 p.m. Join us for lunch and an introduction to Unitarian Universalist history, philosophy, theology and polity. We will cover core aspects of UU/Liberal Theology, trends of UU thought over the years, what makes this a church, religious holidays/Life passages, role of and journey of UU minister, and discuss your burning questions about UUism, this church. For more information or to RSVP contact Judy Gutierrez 682-365-4918 or via email jgutierrez1206@gmail.com. Childcare available by request/registration.

New Member Signing: Sunday,  February 21. For those newcomers interested in becoming members of this church, we this is a time to enroll by signing the membership book, completing our enrollment forms and having your photos taken.

New Member Ceremony: Sunday, February 28, 11:00 a.m. During worship service. The congregation welcomes new members.